Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Hey y'all! If you want to get out of the heat, come on up to the Northern California (or down, if you are further north ;) ) Coast for the Redwood 2 ride on August 6th in Orick, California! If you haven't done this ride yet, now is your chance. With a limited ride entry, we usually are full fairly fast, but this year we still have lots of spaces available! So come on out for some cool (high 60's generally) and foggy weather in the magnificent old growth redwoods. This is the ONLY ride in the US, held within the actual boundaries of a National Park. We run a fun and easygoing ride, and if you want to vacation, there are beaches to ride on nearby, other horse camps not too far off as well, and lots of outdoorsey things for the whole family. Ride is on Aug 6th and offers a 50, 25, and a 10 mile intro ride. For more info and entry forms, visit the REER website: http://redwoodendurance.com/

Natalie (I'll be doing a slow 50 on my youngster..finally she gets to do this ride officially too!)

Monday, 25 July 2011

There is still time to head up to the Oregon Outback (Northwest region), at Outback Ranch, Lake County OR, for some sensational riding; beautiful ridecamp, showers, chuckwagon and trails! Really easy drive. The scenery is stunning and some of the trails make you feel like you've gone back to the 1800's. The Hole in the Ground is jaw-dropping, and the footing is fabulous.

There is another series of multi-day rides, 50 or 25 miles, July 25th, 26th and 27th, ride one or all. And then, a 50-75-100 miler on July 29th. Lots and lots of parking, all flat. The Tribby's have worked extremely hard to put on these rides; I loved them last year and this year, too.

Friday, 22 July 2011

With all the ride cancellations and date changes due to snow and horse illness on top of that, this has been a strange riding season! Hopefully, you have gotten to do the riding you wanted to.

The Buckskin Challenge is just around the corner, on August 20th, near Pocatello, Idaho. Our trails look great! The wild flowers are beautiful! We have a modified the 25 mile loop to make it easier for both horse and rider and we
have plenty of water! The food for the Friday evening dinner will be fabulous and is included in each ride entry and complimentary for all volunteers. Additional meals can be purchased for $10.

It is always hard to plan a ride when turn-out is such an unknown. If you are planning to come or even considering it, please go to our website: buckskinchallenge.com and check it out. Take a few moments to pre-register if you can. We want the ride to be well organized and as pleasant as possible for all riders, horses and crew. If you are one of the winners of a free ride entry from a convention raffle, be sure to pre-register, email or call to let us know who you are and if you are coming.

Thursday, 21 July 2011

GOOD NEWS-
The $50.00 late fee for the AERC National Championship Ride on August 25 and 27, 2011, near Capitan, New Mexico, will be waived to all riders who call or e-mail ride management with in the next couple days. Roger Taylor needs to get a count so that he can order the meals and awards as soon as possible. The ride plans are looking great, high desert mountain weather in New Mexico should be nice with highs near 80 and very cool nights.
Everyone should support the ride this year and buy raffle tickets for the desert bred colt (donated by Edie Booth) or the two Specialized Saddles (donated by the Kaden's). Look on the the AERC.org website for more information.

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

I have been getting a ton of pre-registrations in the mail this week for the Pink Flamingo Classic held August 6 & 7 just south of Cascade, Idaho (www.pinkflamingoclassic.com). I just wanted to remind everyone who has forgotten to send in their pre-registration form to send it in right way if you think you are going to ride. You’ll save $15/day. This year, you don’t have to send in a check but it sure helps to speed up registration if we have everything ready for you when you arrive. We never cash any checks until after the ride anyway. (You can fax it to me at 208.888.1589 or email).

This year Wild Bill Bivens will be cooking Dutch Oven Lasagna on Friday night and I think I heard marinated chicken on the BBQ, salad, and rolls on Saturday night (subject to change). If you need extra meal tickets please add them to your pre-registration. Head count will be important this year...we don’t want to run out of yummy cowboy cooking.

Linda is working on a few new trails since the pink and white loop was logged out. On one of the days, the 50’s will have a long loop in the morning and an expanded meadow loop that is super cool in the afternoon so everyone should finish a little earlier in the day. The views of Horsethief Reservoir and Scott Meadow is really amazing. (That is all she has told me so far about the trails...)

Other stuff: The embroidery folks, Daybreak Promotions (www.daybreakpromotions.com) are finishing up embroidering the 1/2 bale bags for the riders riding two days (or we have a few of last year’s fleece coolers available, too). Cell service (Verizon) seemed to be stronger in the meadow this year than last. Everyone has to scoop their poop again this year (we will have a big dumpster for poop only). Certified Weed Free Hay is requested to keep the Kennedy’s meadow pristine. Susan Favro with Healthy as a Horse said she might not be there on Friday morning to cook pink pancakes this year...she is expecting to become a Grandma but she’ll pull in on Friday sometime to set up her mobile store. I think she said she would have coffee and hot water available on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Remember to pack a coat. It is hard to do when the weather is 90° in Boise but when the sun dips behind the trees the temps drop into the 40’s at night. Bring fly spray and OFF! The mountain mosquitoes have been hungry but I didn’t think there were as bad as last year. Oh man, it is pretty up there this year!! Lots more natural water and TONS of mountain GREEN grass for the ponies to munch on.

Remember to bring a few extra fun dollars for the Strides Against Breast Cancer Raffle. Liz Smallwood and Cynthia Labrie have been working their butts off getting some amazing raffle items. (I swear Cynthia must get her clients in the dental chair and she won’t let them out until they agree to donate something!!) High Country Plastics donated a ton of things again this year, too. We can’t thank our sponsors enough!

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Held in the beautiful and historic William B. Bankhead National Forest, near, Moulton, Alabama.

About Bankhead Forest:
One of the Deep South's finest pockets of deep woods, Alabama's William B. Bankhead National Forest has a potential for adventure and natural beauty you'd expect of a bigger, wilder place. The forest's 180,000 acres encompass pine-clad and hardwood forest, streams, deep gorges, and an arkful of wildlife. Thread your way into one of its deeper hollows and you'll find stands of giant, ancient trees; in typical southern Appalachian fashion, they'll likely be a diverse lot that includes yellow pine, eastern hemlock, and cucumber magnolia all jumbled together. And the music of falling water will almost certainly be heard wherever you go. Walking through the deep gorges is like walking into the “Land of the Lost”....be sure to stay alert, the dinosaurs of millions of years ago could be lurking in the dark ravines or rock ledges!

Trail:
The horse trails consists of 25 miles of carefully laid out design to protect the environment and to allow the user to explore the forest from horseback. About 95% of the trail consists of single track riding. There is usually plenty of natural water on the trails with the exception of during very dry weather. In such case, ride management will provide water on the trail. The terrain is gently rolling to moderate hills, little rock and generally good footing. The trails drain exceptionally well during wet weather. Cruppers and breast collars are not necessary, shoes recommended, but pads are not needed. There is some of gravel road, and less than .4 mile of pavement, that will be the access to the camp and vet checks. The start (rider check in) and finish line will be roughly .35 mile from camp on a gravel road.

Vet Checks:
All vet checks will be in camp. The vet check area will be clearly marked, as well as the crewing areas. Vet check criteria will be declared at the pre-ride meeting by the head control judge. All decisions of the control judges will be final.

Typical weather:
Weather can be very pleasant this time of year. Average highs are 73 degrees with lows around 49 degrees

Awards:
All competitors will receive a T-Shirt completion award. Additional awards will be Top Ten, Best Condition, First Junior, First Mare to Finish, First place finisher, High Vet Score, Turtle, some breed awards and various “special” Raptor awards.

Facilities:
Primitive camping, no people water, but horse water will be provided.

Food:
Meals will consist of grilled ribeye steak sandwiches with choice of chips and drink. Additional meals may be purchased at check in @ $7/meal, but in order to plan please mark on your entry if you plan to purchase an additional meal. Rider’s meal are included in the entry fee.

Parking Fees:
We are collecting a $10/rig parking fee that covers Thursday through Sunday use of the field to the landowner. This will be collected at check in.

Trails are marked, more water tanks added and another vet secured for the entries that keep coming. We dodged a buck in velvet while marking trails! Lots of green this year and you can view from the high trails snow in the distant mountains. Keeping our fingers crossed for the long term weather outlook of moderate temps. See you all soon!

Tuesday, 5 July 2011

Coming up August 20th, the Buckskin Challenge will be held east of Pocatello, ID

The Buckskin Challenge 25/50 Endurance ride and Trail Ride, sponsored by Team Endurance, was started as a "fun ride" and a way to expose local riders to endurance riding. We have since been recognized by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the Pacific Northwest Endurance Rides (PNER) and the Arabian Horse Association (AHA).

The ride camp is located approximately 5 miles from the I-15 Pocatello Creek Exit on private ground at the mouth of Buckskin canyon. There is water for animals in camp and limited potable water. There are portable toilets available in camp as well.

Our head veterinarian is Matt Dredge, DVM. The pre-ride meeting will be held Friday evening at 7 PM in ride camp. Vetting of your horse can be done Friday evening from about 4 PM until the ride meeting and can be arranged Saturday morning with the vets.

There are only 11 places left in the Big Bear 55/100, located at the Heart Bar Equestrian Group Camp, San Bernardino National Forest.

Date: 10 Sept, 2011

The 55 for this ride would be an excellent prep for Tevis riders who would like
to get some experience for themselves or their horses with technical single
track trail, elevation, and being out on the trail for a long time. From last
year, I took out some of the single track and put in some jeep roads so that
riders can make some time. It was about 80% single track, it is now about 60%.
This also added quite a bit of climbing as the single track was mostly a
traverse, while the jeep road goes down into a valley and climbs back out again.

The weather should be perfect, the moon will be almost full, and the trail is
beautiful riding. For the 100, much of the riding in the dark has been moved
from the single track PCT onto the jeep roads of Holcomb Valley and Gocke
Valley. Previous years, the ride has been out and back on the PCT, now it is
out on the PCT, back on jeep roads.

Monday, 4 July 2011

St Albans, N/W of Sydney, New South Wales, on Monday, 22nd to Friday 26th of August, 2011

The 31st 400km Shahzada Marathon endurance ride will be held from Monday, 22nd to Friday 26th August, 2011 and camping will be available in St Albans at the ride base from Sat 13th as well as accommodation at many local venues….check out the Shahzada website http://www.shahzadaresults.org/11entry.htm" for all the information you will need, reserve your favorite number, entry forms and campsite requests to be sent asap and read some of the stories from past rides to get you motivated……this is a very special event and if you don’t do anything else in endurance, you have to ride Shahzada!!

The marathon event is run over five days on local roads and tracks – McKechnies, Woomera Path, Shepherds Gully, Johnny’s Hill, The Steps and Prestons – a great deal of work has been done on the course over the last few years and there will be track clearing on Saturday, 30th and Sunday 31st July…..if you can come and help please contact Brad Jones on 0249 821 758 or Haydn Fisher on 0263 733 932. These improved tracks, with the elimination of many tarred road verges and the wonderful help and advice from the veterinary panel during the ride over the last few years headed up by Dr. Kym Hagon, have helped to establish a very good completion rate – everyone who is successful receives a highly coveted Shahzada buckle.

After riding and successfully completing Shahzada in 2010, Kym is back as Head Vet and together with wife Kim, the social committee promises you all heaps of fun during the week as well as “the ride of your life”. Jeff Bonham is back again this year as Chief Steward so book your holidays now and be prepared for a week to remember.

In addition to the 400km event - there will be a 120 km Mini Marathon over three days (experience the passion and wonderful riding tracks of the Macdonald Valley without the pressure) – it is fantastic training for young horses and a perfect lead up to the Quilty in September. Come for the fun and the challenge – be part of the excitement – this is the premier ride of the endurance calendar and not to be missed. We have heaps of riders entering from Victoria and Queensland this year so St Albans will be buzzing.

Enquiries: Sue Todd (02) 6379 7218 or email suetodd@activ8.net.au Additional Shahzada information with heaps of its history is available on http://www.shahzadaresults.org/11entry.htm" where you can see daily updates during the week of the ride. Entry forms are availab

Camas Creek Canter is a new, AERC sanctioned endurance ride in Western Montana on July 23, 2011! The ride will be located in Potomac, Montana and camp will be on a private ranch just 4 miles off of Highway 200. We will offer a 50 mile endurance event, a 25/30 mile Limited Distance event and a Trail Ride.

I would like to encourage riders that are planning to attend to pre-register on the site, especially since this is a new ride.

CAMPING: WE WILL BASE CAMP AT THE H. COOPER BLACK FIELD TRIAL AND RECREATION AREA IN PATRICK, SC. THIS FACILITY IS ABOUT 13 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CHERAW, SC. CAMP OPENS OFFICIALLY FRIDAY AT 2:00 PM.

ALL CAMPSITES MUST BE RESERVED AND PAID DIRECTLY TO H. COOPER BLACK. CALL 1-866-345-7275 or go to www.southcarolinaparks.com to reserve. More info to be posted.

RIDE RULES: ALL AERC, SERA, SEDRA RULES APPLY. NEGATIVE COGGINS CURRENT WITHIN 1 YEAR; IF THE COGGINS IS NOT CURRENT FOR THE HORSE THAT IS ON-SITE, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STAY ON PREMESIS, SC STATE LAW. NO RIDERS UNDER AGE 8. ALL AGES 8-100 MUST WEAR HELMETS.

THERE WILL BE OTHER CAMP RULES POSTED IN THE CLUBHOUSE-READ THEM. NOISE AND GENERATORS OFF AT 10:00 PM AND MAY BE ON AGAIN AT 5 AM.

While New Mexico is under extreme fire conditions, the BLM has been working with us to ensure that we would be able to go forward with our Fort Stanton ride, July 10, 11, 12, and 14, 15, 16. They provided me today a set of stipulations outlining the restrictions during the event but did approve the ride on the BLM site.

The key restrictions for riders are 1) absolutely no smoking on BLM land - only inside living quarters (except tents); 2) absolutely no open flame of any kind and 3) we have to have an emergency evacuation plan while on the trail so we will be requesting your cell phone number and that you carry that phone with you. We will also be using the ham radio operator to keep you informed if any emergency arises. Ride management will be strictly enforcing these fire related restrictions with a no tolerance approach. Anyone in violation of these restrictions will be escorted from the ride immediately and will not receive any refund.